Susan L. Parkes
Franklin,TN
Summary
Strategic and accomplished healthcare leader with 35+ years of experience advancing cardiovascular and critical care services across high-acuity hospital environments. Expert in leading large multidisciplinary teams, optimizing patient flow, elevating quality outcomes, and driving operational excellence. Proven success in developing ECMO, CVICU, CICU, VAD, and step-down programs, improving throughput, and strengthening staff engagement. Recognized for building culturally competent care models, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring regulatory readiness across complex service lines.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Clinical Operations
Centennial Medical Center
Nashville, TN
02.2025 - Current
- Lead House Supervisors, Rapid Response Team, Float Pool, and PSA program with ~125 direct reports.
- Drive hospital throughput initiatives, reducing LOS and improving discharge efficiency.
- Increased PSA Employee Engagement to 81%.
- Partner with executive leadership to reduce outlier wait times and enhance patient flow
- Daily Crisis Management
- Drive change within the Department and hospital
Interim Director of Clinical Operations
Centennial Medical Center
Nashville, TN
09.2024 - 02.2025
- Oversaw House Supervisors, Rapid Response, and Float Pool operations.
- Redesigned Discharge Lounge model, increasing utilization by 100%.
- Improved Employee Engagement from 67% to 73%.
Director of Cardiovascular Critical Care
Centennial Medical Center
Nashville, TN
09.2021 - 08.2024
- Directed a 16-bed CVICU, 24-bed CICU, 33-bed Step-Down Unit, and 8-bed ECMO Unit, overseeing 150+ FTEs.
- Launched a new 8-bed ECMO program, including staffing, training, and operational readiness.
- Increased new-graduate acceptance rate from 40% to 70%+ through redesigned interview and onboarding processes.
- Ensured readiness for TJC, LVAD, and STEMI compliance.
- Mentored managers and strengthened leadership pipeline across cardiovascular services.
- Served as TDS Liaison to enhance communication and operational alignment.
Nurse Manager – Cardiovascular Services
Centennial Medical Center
Nashville, TN
02.2015 - 09.2021
- Managed 65+ FTEs supporting 1,100+ annual heart surgeries, ECMO/VAD patients, and cardiogenic shock cases.
- Achieved multiple HCA Units of Distinction Awards (2017–2019).
- Led successful VAD Program Accreditation (2019).
- Reduced turnover through a 2-year educational commitment model.
- Outperformed SIRS benchmarks for Falls, CAUTI, and CLABSI.
- Improved Employee Engagement to 77% by 2020.
- Implemented CCU-to-CV internship program to expand ICU readiness.
Assistant Nurse Manager – Cardiovascular Services
Centennial Medical Center
Nashville, TN
12.2011 - 01.2015
- Led staff education, competencies, and performance management.
- Ensured CMS and Joint Commission compliance through continuous auditing.
- Managed staffing budgets, supply ordering, and resource allocation.
- Investigated patient care concerns and implemented corrective actions.
- Facilitated unit meetings and weekly huddles to strengthen communication.
Charge Nurse – CVICU
Centennial Medical Center
Nashville, TN
06.2006 - 12.2011
- Oversaw daily operations of a 10-bed CVICU, ensuring safe, high-quality care for complex cardiac patients.
Staff Nurse – CTICU
Mount Auburn Hospital
Cambridge, MA
08.2001 - 06.2006
- Provided critical care for post-operative open-heart patients and other high-acuity populations.
Nurse Manager – Surgical Services
Darent Valley Hospital
Dartford, England
02.1999 - 07.2001
- Managed a 28-bed surgical unit specializing in general and vascular surgery; supervised 30 staff members.
Nurse Manager – Surgical Services
Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Blackpool, England
01.1994 - 01.1999
- Led three surgical floors (General, GI, Breast, Vascular, Urology) with full managerial responsibility.
Staff Nurse / Midwifery Experience
Various UK Hospitals
UK
01.1987 - 01.1994
- Rotated across surgical units; completed midwifery training and supported 80+ births (normal and high-risk).
Education
Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) -
Capella University
01-2024
BSc (Hons) - Nursing Studies
University of Central Lancashire
UK01-1996
Registered Midwife (RM) - undefined
Blackpool School of Midwifery
UK01-1990
Registered Nurse (RN) - undefined
Blackpool School of Nursing
UK01-1987
Skills
- Cardiovascular Service Line Leadership
- Clinical Operations & Throughput Optimization
- Staff Development & Succession Planning
- ECMO, VAD, CVICU, CICU Program Oversight
- Regulatory & TJC Readiness (LVAD, STEMI)
- Strategic Planning & Program Expansion
- Crisis & Change Management
- Budget & Resource Management
- Quality, Safety & Patient Experience
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Certification
- Tennessee RN License, 2027-12-01
- Certified Nurse Manager Leader (CNML), 2027-01-01
- BLS, 2027-01-01
- ACLS, 2027-01-01
- AACN Member, 2008
- AONE Member, 2017
- Tristar Leadership Academy, 2015
Timeline
Director of Clinical Operations
Centennial Medical Center
02.2025 - Current
Interim Director of Clinical Operations
Centennial Medical Center
09.2024 - 02.2025
Director of Cardiovascular Critical Care
Centennial Medical Center
09.2021 - 08.2024
Nurse Manager – Cardiovascular Services
Centennial Medical Center
02.2015 - 09.2021
Assistant Nurse Manager – Cardiovascular Services
Centennial Medical Center
12.2011 - 01.2015
Charge Nurse – CVICU
Centennial Medical Center
06.2006 - 12.2011
Staff Nurse – CTICU
Mount Auburn Hospital
08.2001 - 06.2006
Nurse Manager – Surgical Services
Darent Valley Hospital
02.1999 - 07.2001
Nurse Manager – Surgical Services
Blackpool Victoria Hospital
01.1994 - 01.1999
Staff Nurse / Midwifery Experience
Various UK Hospitals
01.1987 - 01.1994
BSc (Hons) - Nursing Studies
University of Central Lancashire
Registered Midwife (RM) - undefined
Blackpool School of Midwifery
Registered Nurse (RN) - undefined
Blackpool School of Nursing
Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) -
Capella University